As current technology rapidly expands, so does the widening of the “Technology Gap” between the new control systems and the skills of the workforce who utilizes these systems.
Originally, a general working knowledge of basic electricity was only required of designers using relay logic. The technician operating and troubleshooting this system was able to maintain it with a general knowledge of electrical fundamentals. As systems become more computer oriented, as with the advent of the programmable logic controller, their basic knowledge alone is not enough to keep them abreast with technology.
With today's fully distributed control systems, smart sensors and many other advancing technologies, the workforce is falling further and further behind in the skills necessary to sustain tomorrows technology.